February is Children’s Dental Health Month, and while dentists and other oral health professionals work daily to fight tooth decay, Colorado children are fighting the same battle in a surprising place — the classroom.
Tooth pain may not seem like something that can affect school performance, but some children will tell you otherwise. If left untreated, tooth decay can inhibit a child’s ability to eat, concentrate in school and even smile.
With 60% of low-income kindergarteners in Colorado suffering from tooth decay, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper declared oral health one of his 10 “Winnable Battles” in the state. Below are 3 resources that can help you join the fight.
Brush With Me: Delta Dental of Colorado joined forces with LiveWell Colorado and other community partners to broadcast the steps Coloradans can take to reduce childhood cavities. Visit the Brush With Me website to learn more.
CHP+: Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is affordable health and dental insurance for uninsured children and expecting mothers in Colorado who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private health insurance.
Exchange: Connect for Health Colorado is a marketplace for health insurance in Colorado. You can find out if you are CHP+ or Medicare eligible and if you are eligible for federal subsidies.
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